How to Moderate a Panel
Weekly Presence Prompt
Moderating a panel is simply facilitating in a specific form. As moderators, we hold the space, shine the light on others, and manage the time, while keeping the conversation trained on a particular subject.
As in all public speaking, we must be proactive and find out as much as possible about the venue, the topic, the panelists. Researching and reading about each panelist is vital so we understand what questions to ask.
Ask for what we need from the production tech crew:
Water for each person
A well-lit space
Comfortable chairs (but not chairs that swallow them up!)
Microphones for all
Questions
Send the questions to the panelists well in advance with the time allotted for each person to answer. The sooner we send the questions, the sooner the panelists can prepare their answers. Giving them adequate time to prepare is not only a kind gesture, it elevates the quality of the entire event.
Ask the panelists for a current bio and use it to introduce them. It works best when the moderator introduces each speaker, rather than asking the speakers to introduce themselves for these reasons:
We can better manage the time–when people are asked to introduce themselves, they often either just state their own name and title, which can be found on their name-placard, or they ramble on.
It takes the onus off of the speaker who can then focus on the topic.
Introduce the theme and topic
Think of the opening of the panel as a mini talk. Craft a clear beginning, middle, and end. This is where we step into the role of moderator as event host. In most cases I do not like a speaker to “tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em,” but as a moderator, I ask that we do give an overview so the audience knows what to expect in terms of timing and process. That way, when we have to jump in and redirect, the audience will feel that we are taking care of them rather than being rude to the speakers.
BeHolding with Calm Strength
We use all of our skills to hold the space while we keep the conversation moving forward.
Holding each speaker equally in the light is important.
In holding the space with calm strength, we reassure the audience and speakers. Like a good parent, they know we will be fair, kind, and that they can trust us to honor the process.
The amount of time each speaker gets should feel fair to both the audience and the speakers. Again, setting the speakers up with a clear expectation of how long they have for each question in advance makes this much easier to manage in the moment.
Yes/No/Yes is a great tool for breaking into a long-winded answer.
“Good point! What do you think, Robin?”
(The No is implied, not spoken here)
And sometimes we have to be explicit:
“Sorry to interrupt, but I want to be mindful of the time.”
The best parts of moderating and facilitating are the surprises, the coincidences, the spark of new ideas, the wild connections.
And, as always, the more we enjoy ourselves, the more we bring that sense of fun to the panelists and the audience.
#moderate #facilitate #panel #yesnoyes #yesand #communication #beholding
This is a skill that transcends panel moderating and can be very helpful in running meetings in general. Great advice! Thanks for sharing.
A dear friend and colleague of my father's, Joan Goldsmith, write me to make sure that I add something she learned from my father: "always begin with the person in the panel who is lowest on the recognition or status scale-learned it from WB!"